Passionate about nature and living sustainably? Permaculture gardener Lucy Martin shows Emily Horton how to encourage ecosystems in your garden
Permaculture gardener Lucy Martin
Lucy says: “Get out into nature and experiment with what you can grow. You might surprise yourself and make lots of delicious homegrown produce.”
WHAT?
Lucy: "Permaculture is essentially concerned with living sustainably and in harmony with nature and its processes. A big part of this is growing your own food."
WHY?
Lucy: "It is not so concerned with aesthetics, but functionality and making good use of space and what nature can offer us. Plus, every little effort towards helping the planet makes a difference."
SPACE
"You can make use of any part of your garden, be it great or small, allotment or urban balcony. Or looks for a local community garden (communitysupportedagriculture.org.uk), or volunteer to design a friend's space."
DESIGN
"It is an alternative approach to what we traditionally perceive as a garden with neatly arranged beds and borders – think more cottage garden, grown high and packed full of edible goodies."
MULCH
"Prepare the ground now for spring planting. Lay thick pieces of cardboard over unwanted grass areas. It will conserve moisture, improve the soil's fertility and health."
ORGANIC
"Permaculture is a no-digging concept! Worms do all the hard work, aerating the soil and decomposing organic matter ready for growing. Plants with deep roots, such as fenugreek and dandelion also help break up the soil."
STACK
Plants grow naturally in a ‘stacked’ layout, from trees forming the canopy to root crops beneath the ground. Mimic this natural order for a greater utilisation of space. This autumn start by planting fruit trees and instead of leaving the ground empty underneath, grow shrubs such as gooseberry. For ground cover, try winter kale or, for a root vegetable, try kohlrabi.
COMPANIONS
Groups of plants together not only help protect each other from the elements, but create different conditions in temperature, shade and humidity compared to the surrounding area, which is beneficial to plant growth. With nature promoting biodiversity, do some research on which plants work well together to support productivity and increase resilience to pests and diseases – calendula is great.
SUCCESSION
Stagger your planting to extend your harvests throughout the growing season. Plants which then come into fruit replace the old ones as they die off, reducing the likelihood of bare spaces and waiting times between fruiting.
MAKE SPACE
Plants can grow up vertical surfaces, so try vines such as grapes over trellises, arches and fences or cucurbits such as pumpkins and courgettes. Try growing espalier fruit trees along a south-facing wall (pictured).
WATER
Even the smallest amount of water encourages wildlife. Aquatic ecosystems are very productive so consider a pond to attract frogs.
ATTRACT WILDLIFE
Bird boxes Birds are great for eating unwanted bugs and controlling pests. Try the RSPB for boxes.
Worm farm A good way to dispose of your organic matter from the kitchen. Just remember: no meat or citrus fruits.
Bug boxes Bugs bring diversity to gardens, helping plants become more resistant to pests. Make your own with wooden tubes that imitate tree bark where insects can rest in winter.
Lucy Martin combines her passions for permaculture and horticulture to create inspirational, sustainable gardens for clients. Contact Lucy to foster your own holistic garden. (Lucy Martin: bloomingbrilliantgardenservices.wordpress.com)
